The 2020 NJCAA Division 1 World Exposure Women’s College Coach of the Year Award finalists were announced today by World Exposure Report and include Bart Walker (Northwest Florida State), Chad Gibney (Western Nebraska), Cayla Petree (South Plains) and James Frey (South Georgia Tech). All four finalists are set to tip off in the NJCAA Tournament next week.
About the finalists:
Bart Walker, Northwest Florida State
- Has won 20+ in four of five seasons at the helm of the NWF program
- Overall coaching record of 294-90
- Earned NJCAA regional Coach of the Year honors five times
- Earned five Elite Eight appearances at the NJCAA National Tournament
- Under Walker, Northwest Florida has advanced to the Elite Eight in each of the last two seasons
- His team is currently ranked No. 4 in the World Exposure Poll
- 27-4 Record, 6th in the nation for Opponents’ Field Goal Percentage- 32.5, and 3rd in the nation for Points per game allowed- 49.8
Chad Gibney, Western Nebraska
- The Cougars have played one of the top 10 toughest schedules in the country according to the Massey Ranking. The Cougars are ranked sixth in the Massey Rankings based on strength of schedule. The Cougars beat Top 20 teams Casper, Gillette, Otero, and Utah Valley State College.
- Four Straight National Tournament Appearances (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- 2020 South Coach of the Year
- 2 Time District I Coach of the Year (2017 and 2019)
- 2 Time Region IX Coach of the Year (2018 and 2019
- 28-2 Record, 3rd in Turnovers per game- 11.1 and 11th in the nation for 3PT made per game- 8.8
- His team is currently ranked No. 3 in the World Exposure Poll
Cayla Petree, South Plains
- Guided South Plains to one of the best seasons in program history, earning a No. 2 seed to the NJCAA Women’s Basketball National Tournament with a 32-1 record.
- Earned WJCAC Coach of the Year Honors for the 2nd straight season.
- Making her 2nd Consecutive trip to the national tournament after advancing to the Elite Eight in 2019.
- Named one of four finalist for the 2017 and 2019 WBCA National Coach of the Year
- Earned WBCA Coach of the Year in 2020
James Frey, South Georgia Tech
- Has Earned GCAA Coach of the Year honors six times in 8 years
- Lady Jets have earned a berth to the NJCAA National Tournament 6 of the 8 years Frey has been at the helm.
- His team is currently ranked No. 6 in the World Exposure Poll
- 30-2 Record, 4th in the nation for 3pt percentage- 37.1,9th in the nation for Total rebounds per game-48.8 and 3rd in the nation for steals per game – 16.2
The 2020 NJCAA Division 1 World Exposure's Women’s College Coach of the Year will be announced on March 16th, and the NJCAA National Tournament.
“Each of these coaches has what it takes to win the NJCAA Division 1 World Exposure's Women’s Coach of the Year honor,” said Donnie Woods, CEO of World Exposure. “We look forward to watching these coaches inspire their teams throughout the NJCAA tournament.”
